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Costa Rica 200: A Journey Beyond Limits
From the Caribbean’s gentle waves to the Pacific’s roaring surf, the Costa Rica 200 wasn’t just a race—it was a transformative odyssey.
The Beginning: Parismina’s Embrace
Starting in the secluded coastal village of Parismina, accessible only by boat, the race commenced with the rhythmic sounds of the Caribbean Sea. The humid air clung to our skin, hinting at the challenges ahead.
Traversing Diverse Terrains
Over 200 miles, we encountered:
Lush Rainforests: Dense canopies teeming with life, where every step was a dance with nature.
Mountainous Ascents: Climbs reaching over 8,000 feet, where the air thinned and temperatures dropped below 35°F (2°C).
Scorching Lowlands: Open stretches where the sun bore down relentlessly, pushing temperatures above 90°F (32°C).
River Crossings & Waterfalls: Refreshing yet treacherous, testing our balance and resolve.
The route, inspired by the Camino de Costa Rica, wove through 10 distinct microclimates, each presenting its own set of challenges and wonders.
The Human Element
Beyond the physical trials, the race was a testament to human spirit:
Hallucinations: Sleep deprivation led to vivid visions—some amusing, others unsettling.
Camaraderie: Fellow runners became pillars of support, sharing stories, encouragement, and moments of vulnerability.
Local Communities: Warm welcomes in remote villages, where locals cheered us on, offering food, shelter, and smiles that rejuvenated weary souls.
Reflections at the Finish
Reaching Quepos on the Pacific coast, the sense of accomplishment was profound. Not just for the distance covered, but for the internal journey undertaken. The race stripped away pretense, revealing raw determination and the essence of endurance.
Final Thoughts
The Costa Rica 200 stands as one of the most challenging ultramarathons, not merely for its physical demands but for the emotional and spiritual depths it plumbs. It’s a race that doesn’t just test the body—it transforms the soul.
Technical Difficulty
Landscape
Organisation
Refreshments
The Costa Rica 200 is a nonstop 200 mile running journey across Costa Rica, from the Caribbean sea to the Pacific ocean.
Discover some of Costa Rica’s most hidden and picturesque communities and secrets along the 207 mile (335 km) course going from sea level to more than 8,000 ft (2424m), with temperatures ranging below 35℉ (2°C) on the highest point on the course and above 90℉ (32°C) on the lowlands near the coasts. The Costa Rica 200, is more than an endurance event, is a cultural and scenic journey across an entire country and a way to promote sports tourism and support the rural and indigenous communities along the route.
The terrain is a mixture of singletrack, doubletrack, dirt and gravel. The route crosses more than 15 different microclimates and traverses through banana, pineapple, coffee, oil palm, and sugar cane plantations, cloud forests and lush lowland jungle, coastal wetlands, volcanic landscape, multiple river crossings, waterfalls, steep mountain climbs and more.
The Costa Rica 200, is a cultural and scenic journey across an entire country and a way to promote sports tourism and support the rural and indigenous communities along the route.
Take the challenge, start the journey, live the adventure, feel the culture and immerse yourself in one of the most biologically diverse places on earth.
Sign up at : https://www.trail200.com/
February
Marbella, Spain
43 km
Up to
2900 m
Up to
July
Plymouth, Plymouth, England, United Kingdom
160 km
Up to
2500 m
Up to
June
Hiendelaencina, Guadalajara, Spain
21 km
Up to
580 m
Up to
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